U.S. patent application number 12/756536 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for camera system and power supply for optical recording devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to ANTON/BAUER, INC.. Invention is credited to ALEXANDER P. DESORBO.
Application Number | 20100195987 12/756536 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37836481 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100195987 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DESORBO; ALEXANDER P. |
August 5, 2010 |
CAMERA SYSTEM AND POWER SUPPLY FOR OPTICAL RECORDING DEVICES
Abstract
A camera system includes a video camera having a first mating
mechanism defined on a bottom, planar surface of the video camera.
A battery assembly contains an energy cell and a first surface of
the battery assembly is releasably engageable with the mounting
mechanism such that the battery assembly is suspended beneath the
video camera, with the bottom, planar surface of the video camera
in substantial contact with the first surface. A support apparatus
having a second mating mechanism is also provided, the second
mating mechanism releasably engaging a second surface of the
battery assembly.
Inventors: |
DESORBO; ALEXANDER P.;
(Woodbury, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCCORMICK, PAULDING & HUBER LLP
CITY PLACE II, 185 ASYLUM STREET
HARTFORD
CT
06103
US
|
Assignee: |
ANTON/BAUER, INC.
Shelton
CT
|
Family ID: |
37836481 |
Appl. No.: |
12/756536 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11410799 |
Apr 24, 2006 |
7724303 |
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12756536 |
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60716017 |
Sep 9, 2005 |
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60716625 |
Sep 13, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
386/224 ;
348/372; 348/E5.024; 386/E5.003; 439/500 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00562 20130101;
H04N 2201/0056 20130101; H04N 2201/0063 20130101; G03B 17/56
20130101; G03B 2217/007 20130101; H04N 1/00907 20130101; H04N
1/2112 20130101; H04N 2201/0041 20130101; H04N 5/2251 20130101;
H04N 1/00557 20130101; H04N 1/00493 20130101; H04N 1/00559
20130101; H04N 2201/0084 20130101; H04N 5/225 20130101; H04N
1/00519 20130101; H04N 1/00901 20130101; H04N 1/00127 20130101;
H04N 2101/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/117 ;
348/372; 439/500; 386/E05.003; 348/E05.024 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/00 20060101
H04N005/00; H04N 5/225 20060101 H04N005/225; H01R 3/00 20060101
H01R003/00 |
Claims
1. A video camera, comprising: an image gathering device; a
recording means for recording live motion images detected by said
image gathering device; a threaded bore defined in a bottom surface
of said video camera; and a power terminal defined on said bottom
surface of said video camera, said power terminal communicating
electrical power to said video camera when a power supply is in
electrical communication with said power terminal.
2. The video camera system according to claim 1, further
comprising: a battery assembly containing an energy cell therein,
said battery assembly being releasably coupled to said threaded
bore and communicating power from said energy cell to said video
camera via a battery contact that is in electrical communication
with said power terminal when said battery assembly is connected to
said video camera.
3. The video camera system according to claim 1, further
comprising: a data terminal defined in said bottom surface of said
video camera; and an electronic storage device releasably coupled
to said threaded bore and communicating data between said energy
cell and said video camera via a data contact that is in electrical
communication with said data terminal when said electronic storage
device is connected to said video camera.
4. The video camera system according to claim 3, wherein: said
electronic storage device is one of a DVD and a CD.
5. A video camera, comprising: an image gathering device; a
recording means for recording images detected by said image
gathering device; an attachment means defined on a bottom surface
of said video camera, said attachment means enabling said video
camera to be mounted to a support structure; and a power terminal
defined on said bottom surface of said video camera, said power
terminal providing electrical power to said video camera when a
power supply is in electrical communication with said power
terminal.
6. The video camera system according to claim 5, further
comprising: a battery assembly containing an energy cell therein,
said battery assembly being releasably coupled to said attachment
means and communicating power from said energy cell to said video
camera via a battery contact that is in electrical communication
with said power terminal when said battery assembly is connected to
said video camera.
7. The video camera system according to claim 5, further
comprising: a data terminal defined in said bottom surface of said
video camera; and an electronic storage device releasably coupled
to said attachment means and communicating data between said energy
cell and said video camera via a data contact that is in electrical
communication with said data terminal when said electronic storage
device is connected to said video camera.
8. The video camera system according to claim 7, wherein: said
electronic storage device is one of a DVD and a CD.
9. An adapter plate for suspending an energy cell beneath an
electrical apparatus, said adapter plate comprising: an upper wall
having a threaded post defined thereon; a lower wall having a
threaded bore defined therein; a side wall extending between distal
ends of said upper and lower walls, said upper wall, said lower
wall and said side wall together defining a C-shaped docking bay;
and wherein said energy cell is releasably accommodated within said
C-shaped docking bay.
10. The adapter plate for suspending an energy cell beneath an
image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: one of
said upper wall and said lower wall includes a resilient engagement
mechanism for releasably securing said energy cell within said
C-shaped docking bay.
11. The adapter plate for suspending an energy cell beneath an
image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: said upper
wall includes an upper electrical contact defined therein, wherein
electrical energy from said energy cell is communication through
said adapter plate via said upper electrical contact, and to said
electrical device when said electrical device is secured to said
threaded post.
12. The adapter plate for suspending an energy cell beneath an
image recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: said
adapter plate further includes a lower electrical contact defined
in said lower wall, so as to provide for electrical communication
through said lower wall.
13. A battery assembly for providing a quick release between an
image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus, said
battery assembly comprising: a housing having a first surface and a
second surface, said first surface and said second surface being on
opposing sides of said housing; a threaded bore defined on said
second surface; a depression formed in said first surface; an
energy cell disposed within said housing; and a mounting plate
releasably secured within said depression, said mounting plate
including a threaded post formed thereon.
14. The battery assembly for providing a quick release between an
image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus
according to claim 13, further comprising: a latching means in
operative communication with said depression, wherein manual
operation of said latching means releasably secures said mounting
plate within said depression.
15. The battery assembly for providing a quick release between an
image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus
according to claim 14, wherein: operation of said latching means
causes a locking cam to selectively protrude into said depression
and bear upon said mounting plate, thereby securing said mounting
plate in said depression.
16. The battery assembly for providing a quick release between an
image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus
according to claim 13, wherein: said battery assembly includes a
visual indicator for communicating a predetermined characteristic
of said energy cell.
17. The battery assembly for providing a quick release between an
image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus
according to claim 13, wherein: said mounting plate includes an
electrical communication means for communicating electrical power
of said energy cell through said mounting plate and to said image
recording apparatus.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/716,017, filed Sep. 9, 2005, entitled "BATTERY
MOUNTING SYSTEM" and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/716,625,
filed Sep. 13, 2005, entitled "BATTERY MOUNTING SYSTEM", and is a
divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/410,799 filed on Apr. 24, 2006, each of the aforementioned
applications being hereby incorporated by reference in their
entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates, in general, to an ergonomic camera
system and power supply for optical recording devices, and deals
more particularly with a method and apparatus for providing
increased power capability and operability to video cameras.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Technological advances in recording digital video, recording
media, and electronics have led to video cameras of smaller size
and weight. These smaller "hand-held" video cameras are replacing
"shoulder mounted" video cameras of nearly 6 times the volume and
weight. A typical "handheld" video camera is designed to operate
with one hand, thus freeing the operator from a bulky load on his
shoulder.
[0004] However, the power requirements of these handheld video
cameras have not been reduced in similar proportions to their
reduction in size and weight. Indeed, today's video cameras
commonly require 50% of the power that earlier cameras 600% larger
would consume. The batteries generally provided with these cameras
are physically small, limited in their ability to power the cameras
for extended periods of time and are generally considered
unreliable for long service life or professional use. Many of these
batteries were designed for the intermittent duty of a consumer
camera and are included with professional video cameras primarily
to reduce the overall manufactured cost.
[0005] The batteries included with known handheld video cameras
often define a footprint (length and width) for their mounting
means that is itself small in area, and therefore only allows for
extending the battery outwardly from the camera body, resulting in
an awkward and mostly unusable dimension. Also, the footprint does
not allow for the increase in the size of the cells used in the
battery. Therefore, improving the performance or quality of the
battery is virtually impossible.
[0006] The reduction in size and weight of known handheld video
cameras also creates a problem in the physics behind the ability of
a pan and tilt head to properly control the movement of the camera.
As the camera mass is lessened, the ability of the head to dampen
unwanted movements made by the operator is also lessened. Moreover,
the lightweight of smaller video cameras actually requires at least
as heavy a tripod base in order to provide a stable shooting
platform.
[0007] Thus, the reduction in size and weight of handheld cameras
has caused a problem for both the power source and the stabilizing
devices typically used, especially by professionals, to operate the
camera to generate quality video productions. Ironically, both
designers of stabilizing devices and designers of power sources
have been forced to add at least as much weight to the operating
system--camera, battery, head and tripod--as the camera
manufacturer eliminated in reducing the size and overall weight of
video camera devices in the first place.
[0008] Numerous stabilizing devices have been developed for these
handheld video cameras. These devices typically add to the
operators weight burden both in camera operation and in the weight
of gear necessary to carry to a location. These devices are often
awkward and mitigate the size and weight benefits, and operating
convenience, that small cameras were intended to offer.
[0009] Still further, the reduction in the size of the camera body
has left little room to add or attach accessory devices. Virtually
every square inch of the outer surfaces of the video camera are
dedicated to some functional aspect--lens, input, output
connectors, viewfinders, LCD monitors, handle and media
compartments.
[0010] Classically, there is one notable exception to the use of a
video camera body surface for functional operations. The base, or
bottom, planar surface, of known video cameras are left relatively
flat and absent of any function other than to provide a mounting
surface for a pan and lilt head, tripod or the like.
[0011] Conversely, in still image cameras it has been known to
locate a battery accessory beneath the base of the still camera,
however the use of the bottom surface of video cameras has, to
date, been stringently avoided both by video camera and accessory
designers in order to not interfere with the mounting of the video
camera to a support device, such as a tripod. That is, the still
photography field is substantially different from the motion or
video camera field in that still photography is traditionally
effected by hand-held means, without the need for tripods or the
like. While still photography cameras are themselves oftentimes
provided with a threaded bore for optional mounting upon a tripod
or the like, the adaptation of a base-mounted battery for still
photography cameras gained limited appeal because their hand-held
use so rarely entails the need for a tripod that the threaded bore
typically went unutilized in any event.
[0012] In stark contrast, video cameras are typically heavier then
still photography cameras, are more susceptible to the detrimental
effects of image shake and are typically utilized to record during
movement, such as during sporting events, television news
programming or in the professional photography arena. For these
reasons, video cameras typically employ tripods, or the like, over
a significant portion of their working life, therefore designers
and manufactures have never imported the teachings of the still
photography art in this regard.
[0013] With the forgoing problems and concerns in mind, it is the
general object of the present invention to provide a battery
assembly with increased functionality that increases the total
power available to an electronic consumer, while also boosting
operability and improving the ergonomics of the electrical
consumer. In particular, it is the general object of the present
invention to provide a power supply for video cameras that utilizes
the bottom, planar surface of the video camera, without impeding
the functionality of the bottom, planar surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
portable power supply for an optical recording device.
[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
portable power supply for a video camera.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
portable power supply for a video camera in the form of a battery
(or collection thereof), a fuel cell or a combination of the
two.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
portable power supply for a video camera that utilizes the bottom,
planar surface of the vide camera for mounting thereon.
[0018] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a battery assembly having a housing that defines a first structural
platform for mounting to a support device, such as a pan and tilt
head/tripod.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a battery assembly having a housing that defines a second
structural platform for mounting to the bottom plane of a camera
apparatus.
[0020] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a battery assembly which may be selectively detached from the video
camera, in a quick-release fashion, without the need for
specialized tools.
[0021] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a battery assembly that is selectively and releasably connected to
a pan and tilt head/tripod, integrating one of several common
mechanical mounting connection means in the housing of the
battery.
[0022] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a battery assembly that may be releasably mounted between the
bottom, planar surface of a video camera and a pan and tilt
head/tripod, wherein the battery assembly may be selectively
replaced without mechanically decoupling the video camera from its
pan and tilt head/tripod.
[0023] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a battery assembly having electrical contacts formed thereon for
communication with matching electrical contacts formed on the
bottom planar surface of the video camera, thereby providing
electrical energy from the battery to the video camera.
[0024] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a battery assembly having a power take-off aperture formed thereon
for providing electrical energy from the battery to the video
camera via an electrical cord, or the like.
[0025] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a battery assembly for an optical recording device that improves
the weight distribution of an optical recording device.
[0026] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a battery assembly that improves the ergonomics of an electrical
device.
[0027] These and other objectives of the present invention, and
their preferred embodiments, shall become clear by consideration of
the specification, claims and drawings taken as a whole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a video camera assembly according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a battery assembly and camera mount for
use with the video camera assembly of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates the bottom of the battery assembly
depicted in FIG. 2.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a battery assembly and a camera mount,
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates is a video camera assembly for use with
the battery assembly and camera mount of FIG. 4.
[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates the capturing of a camera mount in the
battery assembly depicted in FIG. 4.
[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a battery assembly having integral
electrical terminals formed therein, according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 8 illustrates the battery assembly of FIG. 7 being
mounted to the a video camera assembly having electrical terminals
disposed on the bottom, planar surface of the video camera
assembly, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0036] FIG. 9 illustrates is the video camera assembly for use with
the battery assembly of FIG. 7.
[0037] FIG. 10 illustrates a video camera assembly according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 11 illustrates a battery clip assembly having integral
electrical terminals formed therein for enabling electrical
communication with a matable battery assembly, according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 12 illustrates multiple battery clips being cascaded
together, in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0040] FIG. 13 illustrates a battery clip having a latching
mechanism in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 14 illustrates a video camera assembly according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 15 illustrates a video camera assembly according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 16 illustrates the battery assembly and the camera
mounting plate utilized in the video camera assembly of FIG.
15.
[0044] FIG. 16A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mounting
plate, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0045] FIG. 17 illustrates the battery assembly of FIG. 16 with the
mounting plate in its secured position.
[0046] FIG. 18 is a reverse-angle view of the plug portion of the
adapter and power cord assembly.
[0047] FIG. 19 illustrates the two piece power adapter.
[0048] FIG. 20 illustrates a partial back-side view of one half of
the two piece power adapter.
[0049] FIG. 21 illustrates the bottom of the battery assembly of
FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0050] Known video cameras, both the hand-held variety and the
larger, professional video cameras, are known to have a bottom,
planar surface that is devoid of any structural or operational
features, with the exception of a threaded bore and a positioning
hole. It is also well known that the threaded bore and positioning
hole that are defined on the bottom, planar surface of typical
video cameras are utilized to mount the video cameras to pan and
tilt heads/tripods. In practice, known pan and tilt heads/tripods
are themselves equipped with a threaded stud, or the like, for
selective and threaded engagement with the video camera's threaded
bore, as well as having a location post for engagement with the
positioning hole.
[0051] Despite the advancements in the video camera art over the
years, which have added an ever-increasing host of additional
features to video cameras, such as flip-out observation/preview
screens, a plurality of editing buttons and the like, it will
therefore be readily appreciated that manufacturers of known video
cameras have assiduously avoided defining any of these additional
features on the bottom, planar surface of the video camera.
[0052] Indeed, the rationale for keeping the bottom, planar surface
of video cameras sacrosanct in this regard is well appreciated in
the art. Video cameras that are not mounted to pan and tilt
heads/tripods are frequently rested on their bottom, planar
surface, thus any functional buttons or screens would be
inaccessible (and subject to incident damage) if they were formed
thereon. Moreover, especially in the professional video recording
art, video cameras are almost universally mounted atop known pan
and tilt heads/tripods during use, therefore keeping the bottom,
planar surface free of extraneous structures was of immense
importance.
[0053] Owing to this known and universal ban on the development of
the bottom, planar surface of video cameras to date, manufactures
of accessory devices, including battery manufacturers, have sought
to utilize the other surfaces of video cameras to mount their
devices thereon. Thus, and in particular, battery manufacturers
have sought to develop battery assemblies that extend outwardly
from the back or side panels of video cameras, sometimes extending
a great distance therefrom.
[0054] It will therefore be readily appreciated that the suspension
of weighty battery assemblies some distance away from the rear, or
side, panels of known video cameras is not only cumbersome to the
user, but also produces a net moment to the video camera itself,
hampering both stability and shake control and further fatiguing
the user.
[0055] The present invention seeks to address these shortcomings,
while not limiting or adversely affecting the ability of video
cameras to mount to pan and tilt heads/tripods (hereinafter
generally referred to as `tripods`), or affecting their ability to
be rested on their bottom, planar surface during use or
storage.
[0056] FIG. 1 illustrates a video camera assembly 10 according to
one embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 1,
the video camera assembly 10 includes a battery assembly 12 having
a housing comprised of an upper first half 14 and a lower bottom
half 16. Together, the matable upper half 14 and lower half 16
define an inner chamber for accommodating one or more energy cells
therein. A printed circuit board may also be located within the
inner chamber, and operatively connected to the energy cells, to be
utilized in a known fashion to assist in the management of the
power cells, or the like.
[0057] In accordance with the present invention, the energy cells
are preferably rechargeable lithium ion batteries, or the like,
however the present invention is not so limited in this regard as
the energy cells may alternatively be any type or manner of
portable power cells without departing from the broader aspects of
the present invention.
[0058] Returning to FIG. 1, the battery assembly 12 is selectively
and releasably connected between a video camera 18 and a tripod
assembly 20. The video camera 18 shown in FIG. 1 may be any of the
various known video cameras available on the market today, and
includes an unillustrated threaded bore and a positioning hole
formed in the bottom planar surface of the video camera 18, as is
known in the art.
[0059] The precise manner in which the battery assembly 12 is
selectively and releasably mounted to both the video camera 18 and
the tripod assembly 20 will be described in more detail later,
however it will be readily appreciated that the positioning of the
battery assembly 12 beneath the bottom, planar surface of the video
camera 18 represents an arrangement heretofore unknown in the
art.
[0060] It is therefore an important aspect of the present invention
that by operatively connecting the battery assembly 12 to the
bottom, planar surface of the video camera 18, the present
invention greatly increases the ergonomic configuration of the
camera assembly 10 as a whole. That is, by locating the weight of
the battery assembly 12 directly beneath the video camera 18, as
opposed to extending outwardly therefrom as in known video camera
systems, the present invention avoids the creation of any
unintended and undesirable moments to the camera assembly 10.
Indeed, the weight of the battery assembly 12 works in concert with
the attachment mechanisms (to be described in more detail later) to
seat the video camera 18 even more firmly and with greater
stability than would otherwise be possible if the battery assembly
12 were extending outwardly from the video camera 18.
[0061] Also shown in FIG. 1 is a power adapter and cord 22, which
is operatively and electrically connected between the video camera
18 and the battery assembly 12, and provides operating power from
the battery assembly 12 to the video camera 18 and its various
accessories. As shown in FIG. 2, the power adapter and cord 22
includes a right angle connector 24 for effectuating the electrical
connection with the battery assembly 12. It will readily be
appreciated that the right angle connector 24 resists disengagement
from the housing of the battery assembly 12 should the power
adapter and cord 22 be pulled via its cord portion.
[0062] The power adapter and cord 22 of the present invention is
adapted to releasably mate to the existing battery terminals
typically formed on the back or sides of known video cameras, as
illustrated in FIG. 1. Moreover, the housing of the power adapter
is preferably formed as two halves, a first half 23 and an
integrally mated second half 25. The first and second halves, 23
and 25 respectively, may be selectively disengageable from one
another, thereby enabling the removal of the second half 25 from
the video camera 18 during transportation or the like, while
leaving the first half 23 attached to the video camera 18. In this
manner, the present invention permits the power cord and adapter 22
to be quickly and easily attached or detached from the video camera
18.
[0063] FIG. 2 illustrates a camera mount 26, which is utilized to
selectively and releasably connect the battery assembly 12 to the
camera assembly 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the camera mount 26
comprises a low-profile plate which may be releasably and securely
fixed into a close-fitting depression 29 formed in the upper first
half 14 of the battery assembly 12 via the operation of an
actuation lever 28. To assist in the selective fixing of the camera
mount 26 to the battery assembly 12, the low-profile plate includes
chamfered or dove-tailed edges 30 that work in concert with
matching edges of a pair of locking plates 32. The locking plates
32 are selectively driven towards one another, via operation of the
actuation lever 28, to securely capture the edges 30 of the camera
mount 26 therebetween.
[0064] While a pair of selectively retractable locking plates 32
have been described, the present invention is not so limited in
this regard, as only a single, movable locking plate 32 may be
provided, such that the selective movement of the single locking
plate effectuates the capturing of the camera mount 26 in the
close-fitting depression 29.
[0065] It is another important aspect of the present invention that
the close-fitting depression 29 is sized to substantially match the
thickness of the camera mount 26. That is, when secured within the
close-fitting depression 29, the top, exposed surface of the camera
mount 26 is substantially flush with the upper first half 14 of the
battery assembly 12. Thus, the bottom, planar surface of the video
camera 18 enjoys an expansive mounting surface that includes not
only the camera mount 26, but also the entire area of the upper
first half 14 of the battery assembly 12. Stability and of the
video camera 18 is thereby dramatically increased.
[0066] As can also be seen in FIG. 2, the camera mount 26 itself
includes the same typical mounting apparatus as is commonly found
on known tripods, including a threaded stud 34 and a location post
36. It will therefore be readily appreciated that the camera mount
26 may be selectively and releasably connected to the bottom,
planar surface of the video camera 18 in the same manner as
conventional video cameras are connected to conventional
tripods.
[0067] Indeed, it is another important aspect of the present
invention that the means for attaching the video camera 18 to the
battery assembly 12 makes use of the conventional threaded bore
formed in the bottom, planar surface of known video cameras, thus
making the present invention usable by all known video cameras
currently on the market without requiring any structural alteration
thereof. Moreover, as the underside of the camera mount 26 is
itself a planar surface, any video camera equipped with the camera
mount 26 may still be placed upon a support surface, ground or the
like, after the camera mount 26 is disengaged from the battery
assembly 12 (via operation of the actuation lever 28). Thus, the
camera mount 26 of the present invention not only enables the
selective mating of the video camera 18 with the battery assembly
12, but does so in a manner that does not destroy the ability of
the video camera 18 to be utilized as a stand-alone piece of
equipment.
[0068] It is still yet another important aspect of the present
invention that the camera mount 26 permits the quick-release of the
video camera 18 from the battery assembly 12 without the necessity
of unscrewing the threaded stud 34. In this regard, it will be
appreciated that operation of the actuation lever 28 permits the
camera mount 26 to disengage battery assembly 12 in a quick and
easy fashion, thus speeding battery replacement time.
[0069] Turning now to FIG. 3, the lower second half 16 of the
battery assembly 12 is now depicted in greater detail. As shown in
FIG. 3, the second (or bottom) half 16 of the battery assembly 12
is formed to define a mounting area 38 which, in essence, takes the
same form as the known mounting structure typically defined on the
bottom of known video cameras. That is, the mounting area 38 also
includes a threaded bore 40 and a positioning hole 42 to
accommodate the selective and releasable connection to a typical
tripod.
[0070] It will therefore be readily appreciated from a review of
FIGS. 1-3 in combination that the present invention is capable of
not only mounting any known video camera to any known tripod
assembly in a manner heretofore unknown in the art, but does so in
a manner that utilizes the known and unaltered structures of both
the video camera 18 and the tripod 20. Moreover, removal of the
camera mount 26 and the battery assembly 12 is easily facilitated,
and may be readily accomplished if a user desired to mount the
video camera 18 directly to the tripod 20.
[0071] While the present invention has been described in connection
with the specific structures shown in FIGS. 1-3, the camera
assembly 10 is not so limited in this regard. That is, instead of
the mounting area 38 being formed in the housing of the battery
assembly 12 (as shown in FIG. 3), the mounting area may
alternatively be formed as a removable plate, similar to the
construction and configuration of the camera mount 26. Likewise,
there is no necessity for the housing of the battery assembly 12 to
be formed in two, top and bottom, halves, nor does the battery
assembly 12 need to have any specific shape or design in order to
accomplish the present invention. Indeed, the shape and design of
the camera mount 26, and of the related locking plates 32, may also
take an alternate form without departing from the broader aspects
of the present invention.
[0072] FIG. 4 illustrates one such alternative design. As shown in
FIG. 4, the camera mount 26 not only includes the dove-tail edges
30, but also defines a plurality of locking hubs 44 for selective
engagement with matching receptacles 46 formed in the alternatively
configured locking plates 32 and 33. The locking plate 33 is
designed to pivot into its locking position and may be secured in
this position via the operation of a manual locking lever 35.
[0073] Also illustrated in FIG. 4 is two piece power adapter and
cord 48 wherein a first portion 50 of the power adapter is designed
to be mounted to known rear battery mounts formed on the video
camera 18. The first portion 50 may then be selectively disengaged,
via a snap fit or the like, to a second portion 52 of the adapter
48 when it is desired to transport the camera assembly 10 as a
whole, and without having to totally disengage the adapter 48 from
the battery terminals formed on the video camera 18. FIG. 5
illustrates the camera assembly 10, shown in FIG. 4, in its
operative relationship.
[0074] FIG. 6 shows the basic operation of the locking plates 32
and 33 as the camera mount 26 is captured therebetween via
operation of the locking lever 33.
[0075] Still yet another embodiment of the present invention is
depicted in FIGS. 7-9. In contrast to the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 1-6 where power was communicated from the battery assembly 12
to the video camera 18 via an integrated power adapter and cord 22,
the embodiment of FIGS. 7-9 contemplates the direct transmission of
electrical energy between these two devices.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of active, and preferably
spring loaded, electrical terminals 54 are formed in the depression
29 of the battery assembly 12. The terminals 54 communicate with
matching electrical terminals 56 formed in the body of the camera
mount 26, shown in FIG. 8 in its attached condition to the bottom,
planar surface of the video camera 18. In operation, the electrical
energy from the battery assembly 12 will be capable of direct
communication with the video camera 18 via matching terminals 54
and 56.
[0077] It is therefore still yet another important aspect of the
present invention that the battery assembly 12 is not only
ergonomically disposed on the bottom, planar surface of the video
camera 18, but that terminals 54 and 56 obviate the need for
extraneous power adapters and cords in order to transmit electrical
energy from the battery assembly 12 to the video camera 18. The
present embodiment therefore eliminates the cumbersome power
adapter and cord, and potential snags thereon, while reducing
component parts for the camera assembly 10 as a whole.
[0078] Of course, the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-8
require that the video camera 18 also be modified from what is
currently known in the art. That is, the present invention
additionally contemplates a new configuration for video cameras in
that instead of locating the battery terminals on the side or rear
of a video camera (such as is known in the art and shown in FIGS. 1
and 5), the present invention envisions that the internal circuitry
of the video camera 18 be reconfigured so as to reposition these
terminals to the bottom, planar surface of the video camera 18. In
doing so, the present invention frees up valuable space at the rear
of the video camera for use in supporting new functions and/or
controls 58, as shown in FIG. 9, as well as permitting the
repositioning of known media inserts and/or function controls 58 in
a manner that greatly increases their ease of use while enabling a
level of user-observation not currently possible with known video
cameras.
[0079] FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the battery assembly 60 is
releasably and selectively disposed between the video camera 62 and
the tripod 64 via a battery clip 66. As shown in FIG. 11, the
battery clip 66 functions as a camera mount (similar to the camera
mounts of the preceding embodiments) and includes a top bracket 68
and a bottom bracket 70. The top bracket 68 includes a threaded
stud 72 and a location post 74 for mating with the threaded hole
formed in the bottom, planar surface of the video camera 18
(similar to the attributes of the camera mount 26 shown in FIGS. 2
and 4).
[0080] The bottom bracket 70 defines a mounting area 76, which, in
essence, takes the same general form as the known mounting
structure typically defined on the bottom of known video cameras.
That is, the mounting area 76 also includes a threaded bore 78 and
a positioning hole 80 to accommodate the selective and releasable
connection to a typical tripod, or the like.
[0081] Turning now to the battery assembly 60 in particular, FIG.
11 depicts a bracket depression 82 formed in the housing thereof.
It should be noted that the bracket depression 82 is formed on both
the upper half and lower half of the battery assembly 60, and is
sized to closely-fit the top and bottom brackets, 68 and 70
respectively, when the battery assembly 60 is pushed between the
top and bottom brackets, 68 and 70.
[0082] Although the bracket depression 82 has been described as
being formed on both the upper half and lower half of the battery
assembly 60, the present invention is not so limited in this regard
as the bracket depression may alternatively be formed on only the
upper half (that is, the half facing and in contact with the
bottom, planar surface of the video camera 18) of the battery
assembly 60, without departing from the broader aspects of the
present invention.
[0083] It is an important aspect of the present invention that the
bracket depressions 82 not only provide a close-fitting partner to
the top and bottom brackets, 68 and 70, but that by being recessed
into the housing of the battery assembly 60, the bracket
depressions 82 ensure that the bottom, planar surface of the video
camera 18 rests upon a large, substantially uni-planar area and is
therefore more stable. That is, the bracket depressions 82 are
formed to be of substantially the same depth as the brackets 68 and
70 are thick, therefore the bottom, planar surface of the video
camera 18 experiences, in combination with the mounted battery
assembly 60, a substantially continuous and planar surface upon
which to rest when the video camera 18 is mounted to the battery
clip 66.
[0084] Still yet another important aspect of the present invention
lies in the ability of the battery clip 66 to permit the removal or
replacement of the battery assembly 60 therefrom, all without ever
having to threadedly disengage the video camera 18 from mechanical
connection to the tripod 64. That is, once the battery clip 66 has
been operatively connected (via its top and bottom brackets 68 and
70) to the video camera 18 and the tripod 64, a user of the video
camera 18 need never structurally disengage the video camera 18
from the tripod 64 during replacement of the battery assembly 60.
When replacement of the battery assembly 60 is desired, a user need
only remove the battery assembly 60 from its friction or snap-fit
orientation between the brackets 68 and 70, all without requiring
the time consuming and often frustrating experience of disengaging
the threaded fasteners of the system. Thereafter, replacement with
a recharged battery assembly may likewise be easily accomplished by
the mere insertion of another battery assembly 60 between the
brackets 68 and 70, again without the need for any tooling, or
operation of any threaded fasteners.
[0085] While the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the use
of a power adapter and cord 84, the present invention is not
limited in this regard. Indeed, similar to the embodiment disclosed
in connection with FIGS. 7-9, the battery clip 66 may also support
battery terminals on one, or both, of the top and bottom brackets,
68 and 70. These battery terminals formed in the top and bottom
brackets 68 and 70 will communicate with similar, preferably spring
loaded, terminals formed in the bracket depressions 82 of the
battery assembly 60 for the purposes of transmitting electrical
power from the battery assembly 60 to the video camera 62. Once
again, the video camera 62 would also have to display battery
terminals on the bottom, planar surface in order to facilitate the
most efficient transfer of such electrical power.
[0086] FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the present invention,
which builds upon the embodiment described in connection with FIGS.
10 and 11. As shown in FIG. 12, one or more battery clips 66 may be
stacked in a serial, or cascading, manner, one on top of the other.
In doing so, the present invention permits the positioning of
several batter assemblies beneath the video camera 62.
[0087] The battery assembly 60 has been described as being in a
friction or snap-fit orientation between the brackets 68 and 70.
That is, one embodiment of the present invention is to design the
battery clip 66 such that its close fitting nature in relation to
the bracket depressions 82 provides enough of a frictional fit that
the battery assembly 60 securely rests therein. The present
invention also contemplates providing the battery clip 66 with a
spring biased latch mechanism 68, shown in FIG. 12. The latch
mechanism 68 shown in FIG. 12 includes a upwardly extending latch
member 70 which is biased via a biasing coil spring 72, or the
like, in a direction of contact with the battery assembly 60. The
battery assembly 60 itself has a latch depression formed in the
bottom half thereof, which communicates with the spring biased
latch member 70 to secure the battery assembly 60 in the battery
clip 66.
[0088] As further shown in FIG. 12, when the distal end 74 of the
latch mechanism 68 is pressed upwards against the biasing force of
the coil spring 72, in the general direction U, the latch member 70
will pivot and disengage from the latch depression formed in the
bottom half of the battery assembly 60, thus freeing the battery
assembly 60 to be removed from the battery clip 66.
[0089] Still yet another embodiment of a latching mechanism may be
attributed to the battery clip 66, as shown in FIGS. 13-13B. As
depicted in FIGS. 13-13B, the battery clip 66 may alternatively be
formed to include a latching mechanism 76 having a slidable,
squeeze-style tab 78. The tab 78 itself includes a latch member 80
which is biased via a biasing leaf spring 82, or the like, in a
direction of contact with a latching cavity 84 formed in the rear
of the battery assembly 60. Upon squeezing the tab 78, the latch
member 80 will disengage from the latching cavity 84, thus freeing
the battery assembly 60 to be removed from the battery clip 66.
[0090] In consideration of the embodiments discussed in connection
with FIGS. 10-13, it will be readily appreciated that in the case
where the electrical power from the battery assembly 60 to the
video camera 62 is accomplished with a power adapter and cord 84,
the inclusion of multiple, stacked battery assemblies permits a
user to almost instantaneously change from one battery assembly to
the other, all without ever having to threadedly disengage the
video camera 62 from the tripod 64. Still further, in those cases
where the battery clip 66 is equipped with battery terminals, it
would be possible to cascade the electrical power from multiple
battery assemblies to the video camera 62, without any extraneous
wires, in a manner not heretofore known in the art.
[0091] FIG. 14 yet another embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 14, a video camera 90 may have a mounting block 82
defined on the bottom, planar surface 94 of the video camera 90.
The mounting block 90 may itself include structural mounting
fixtures 96, as well as electrical terminals 98, for providing
electrical and structural communication with a battery assembly
100. As further shown in FIG. 14, the battery assembly 100 includes
mounting posts 102, which operatively match with the mounting
fixtures 96 formed in the mounting block 92. Moreover, the battery
assembly 100 also includes an electrical terminal block 104 capable
of accommodating the electrical terminals 98, for communicating
electrical power from the battery assembly 100 to the video camera
90.
[0092] The battery assembly 100 further defines a mounting area
106, which, in essence, takes the same form as the known mounting
structure typically defined on the bottom of known video cameras.
That is, the mounting area 106 includes a threaded bore 108 and a
positioning hole 110 to accommodate the selective and releasable
connection to a typical tripod.
[0093] It is therefore another important aspect of the present
invention that, whichever disclosed embodiment is utilized, one
half of the battery assembly defines a mechanism or structure to
permit the selective and releasable attachment of the battery
assembly to the bottom, planar surface of the video camera, while
the other half of the battery assembly defines a mechanism or
structure to permit the selective and releasable attachment of the
battery assembly to a tripod, or the like.
[0094] By designing the battery assembly to have opposing halves,
each half being individually adapted to utilize the known
attachment means existing on known video cameras and tripods, the
present invention provides for the ergonomic mounting of a battery
assembly to the bottom, planar surface of a video camera without
sacrificing the ability of the video camera to be mounted upon a
tripod, or the like.
[0095] FIGS. 15-21 illustrates a video camera assembly 190
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As
best seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, the video camera assembly 190
includes a battery assembly 200 having a housing comprised of an
upper first half 214 and a lower bottom half 216. Together, the
matable upper half 214 and lower half 216 define an inner chamber
for accommodating one or more energy cells therein. A printed
circuit board may also be located within the inner chamber, and
operatively connected to the energy cells, to be utilized in a
known fashion to assist in the management of the power cells, or
the like.
[0096] As discussed previously, the energy cells are preferably
rechargeable lithium ion batteries, or the like, however the
present invention is not so limited in this regard as the energy
cells may alternatively be any type or manner of portable power
cells, including fuel cells, without departing from the broader
aspects of the present invention.
[0097] Returning to FIG. 15, the battery assembly 200 is
selectively and releasably connected between a video camera 202 and
an unillustrated tripod assembly, similar to the configuration of
FIG. 1. It should be appreciated that although the battery assembly
200 has been described as being operatively positioned between a
video camera 202 and a tripod assembly, the present invention is
not so limited in this regard as the present invention may be
mounted to any electrical device, regardless of its nature, that is
equipped with a matching threaded bore and a positioning hole,
without departing from the broader aspects of the present
invention.
[0098] Similar to the previously discussed embodiments, the battery
assembly 200 is selectively and releasably mounted to both an
electronic device, such as but not limited to the video camera 202,
as well as a tripod assembly. The battery assembly 200 is
releasably fixed to the bottom, planar surface of the video camera
202 and greatly increases the ergonomic configuration of the camera
assembly 190 as a whole. That is, by locating the weight of the
battery assembly 200 directly beneath the video camera 190, as
opposed to extending outwardly therefrom as in known video camera
systems, the present invention avoids the creation of any
unintended and undesirable moments to the video camera 202. Indeed,
the weight of the battery assembly 200 works in concert with the
attachment mechanisms to seat the video camera 202 more firmly and
with greater stability than would otherwise be possible if the
battery assembly 200 were extending outwardly from the video
camera.
[0099] As further shown in FIG. 16 is a power adapter and cord 220
which is operatively and electrically connected between the video
camera 202 and the battery assembly 200, and provides operating
power from the battery assembly 200 to the video camera 202 and its
various accessories. As shown in FIG. 16, the power adapter and
cord 220 includes a right angle connector 240 for effectuating the
electrical connection with the battery assembly 200. It will
readily be appreciated that the right angle connector 240 resists
disengagement from the housing of the battery assembly 200 should
the power adapter and cord 220 be pulled via its cord portion.
[0100] The power adapter and cord 220 is designed to releasably
mate with a power receptacle 242 formed in the housing of the
battery assembly 200, as best seen in FIG. 16. Both the receptacle
242 and the plug portion 244 of the adapter and power cord 220
define multiple electrical conductors/pins 246 to provide for
various operating requirements, such as but not limited to battery
charging, battery discharging (either to the video camera 202 or
another accessory device), data input/output, and the like. FIG. 18
illustrates a reverse-angle view of the plug portion 244 of the
adapter and power cord 220 in which the multiple pins 246 are
shown.
[0101] The power adapter and cord 220 of the present invention is
adapted to releasably mate to the existing battery terminals
typically formed on the back or sides of known video cameras. FIG.
15 depicts a typical battery mounting area 248 in the rear
wall/side of the video camera 202, while FIG. 19 illustrates the
housing 250 of the adapter portion of the adapter and power cord
220.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 19, the housing 250 is preferably formed as
two halves, a first half 252 and an integrally mated second half
254. The first and second halves, 252 and 254 respectively, may be
selectively disengageable from one another, thereby enabling the
removal of the second half 254 from the video camera 202 during
transportation or the like, while leaving the first half 252
attached to the video camera 202 in area 248. In this manner, the
present invention permits the power cord and adapter 220 to be
quickly and easily attached or detached from the video camera 202.
FIG. 20 is a partial view of the inside of the first half 252 of
the housing 250, in which molded in electrical contacts 256 are
shown.
[0103] Returning to FIGS. 16 and 17, a camera mount 260 is shown
which is utilized to selectively and releasably connect the battery
assembly 200 to the video camera 202. The camera mount, or mounting
plate, 260 includes a threaded post 261 and a locating pin 263, and
therefore may be selectively mounted to any electrical device, and
in particular a video camera, that itself defines matching mounting
means for the threaded post 261 and the locating pin 263.
[0104] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the camera mount 260 comprises
a low-profile plate which may be releasably and securely fixed into
a close-fitting depression 262 formed in the upper first half 214
of the battery assembly 200 via the operation of a spring biased
actuation slide 264. To assist in the selective fixing of the
camera mount 260 to the battery assembly 200, the low-profile plate
includes chamfered or dove-tailed edges 266 that work in concert
with matching edges of the depression 262.
[0105] FIG. 16 illustrates that the dove-tailed edges 266 of the
mounting plate 266 have a compound profile. That is, as shown in
FIGS. 16 and 16A, the dove-tailed edges 266 each include an upper
and a lower inwardly sloped side, 273 and 275 respectively, while
the depression 262 includes sidewalls having a matching profile.
Still further, the mounting plate 260 defines a rear back-beveled
side wall 277, which slopes downwardly and inwardly from the top
surface of the mounting plate 260. The back-beveled side wall 277
slides along a rear wall 279 of the depression 262 so as to
facilitate ease of integration between the mounting plate 260 and
the depression 262.
[0106] Once inserted into the depression 262, the mounting plate
260 is secured therein via the contoured edges 266 acting in
concert with the frictional force of a locking cam 268. When the
actuation slide 264 is moved in a direction U against its spring
biasing force, the locking cam 268 will retreat out of the
depression 262 and into the housing of the battery assembly 200,
thereby permitting the mounting plate 260 unfettered access to the
depression. Once situated therein, an operator would release the
actuation slide 264, thereby permitting the locking cam 268 to
reassert its position within the depression 262. As the profile 270
of the locking cam 268 abuts the face 272 of the mounting plate
260, the mounting plate 260 will become fixed and nested within the
depression until the actuation slide 264 is again moved in the
direction U.
[0107] Similar to the other embodiments discussed previously, it is
another important aspect of the present invention that the
close-fitting depression 262 is sized to substantially match the
thickness of the camera mount 260. That is, when secured within the
close-fitting depression 262, the top, exposed surface of the
camera mount 260 is substantially flush with the upper first half
214 of the battery assembly 200. Thus, the bottom, planar surface
of the video camera 202 enjoys an expansive mounting surface that
includes not only the camera mount 260, but also the entire area of
the upper first half 214 of the battery assembly 200. Stability and
of the video camera 202 is thereby dramatically increased.
[0108] Given that the camera mount 260 itself includes the same
typical mounting apparatus as is commonly found on known tripods,
including the threaded post 261 and a location pin 263, it will
therefore be readily appreciated that the camera mount 260 may be
selectively and releasably connected to the bottom, planar surface
of any known video camera in the same manner as conventional video
cameras are connected to conventional tripods.
[0109] Indeed, it is another important aspect of the present
invention that the means for attaching the video camera 202 to the
battery assembly 200 makes use of the conventional threaded bore
formed in the bottom, planar surface of known video cameras, thus
making the present invention usable by all known video cameras (as
well as all known still cameras and other image recording devices,
binoculars and the like) currently on the market without requiring
any structural alteration thereof. Moreover, as the underside of
the camera mount 260 is itself a planar surface, any video camera
equipped with the camera mount 260 may still be placed upon a
support surface, ground or the like, after the camera mount 260 is
disengaged from the battery assembly 200 (via operation of the
actuation slide 264). Thus, the camera mount 260 of the present
invention not only enables the selective mating of the video camera
202 with the battery assembly 200, but does so in a manner that
does not destroy the ability of the video camera 202 to be utilized
as a stand-alone piece of equipment.
[0110] It is still yet another important aspect of the present
invention that the camera mount 260 permits the quick-release of
the video camera 202 from the battery assembly 200 without the
necessity of unscrewing the threaded post 261. In this regard, it
will be appreciated that operation of the actuation slide 264
permits the camera mount 260 to disengage from the battery assembly
200 in a quick and easy fashion, thus speeding battery replacement
time.
[0111] Turning now to FIG. 21, the lower second half 216 of the
battery assembly 200 is now depicted in greater detail. As shown in
FIG. 21, the second (or bottom) half 216 of the battery assembly
200 is formed to define a mounting area 280 which, in essence,
takes the same form as the known mounting structure typically
defined on the bottom of known video cameras. That is, the mounting
area 280 also includes a threaded bore 282 and a positioning hole
284 to accommodate the selective and releasable connection to a
typical tripod, or the like.
[0112] FIG. 21 further depicts a series of visual indicators 286
defined in a side of the battery assembly 200. The visual
indicators 286 are preferably LEDs and serve to indicate to a user
the status of the power cells housed within the battery assembly
200. Location of the visual indicators 286 on the side of the
battery assembly 200 ensures that when the battery assembly 200 is
mounted between a video camera and a tripod, the operator can still
view the visual indicators 286. While three, preferably LED-type,
visual indicators 286 are shown in FIG. 21, it will be appreciated
that any number or type of indicator may be alternatively utilized
without departing from the broader aspects of the present
invention. Moreover, the nature of the information communicated by
the visual indicators 286 is not itself limited in any way, and
will change in dependence upon the nature of the content within the
battery assembly 200, whether that content is power cells of some
type, or a DVD/CD disk drive, or the like.
[0113] Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8, the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 15-21 may also include a plurality of electrical contacts
formed in and through the mounting plate 260. In this manner, and
provided the video camera (or other electrical device) has defined
thereon matching electrical contacts, the mounting plate 260 will
transmit electrical power directly to the underside of the video
camera, without the need for any adapter or power cord. Indeed, the
present invention envisions that electrical contacts formed on the
mounting plate 260 can supply the video camera 202 with operating
power, while the battery assembly 200 also communicates additional
power to various accessory devices (photographic lights, click
drives, or the like) via the receptacle 242. In this manner,
several electrical devices can be powered from a single battery
assembly 200. Still further, more than one battery assembly 200 may
be cascaded atop one another and captured as a group between a
video camera and a tripod, each of the battery assemblies powering
the same or differing electrical devices and accessories, as
discussed above.
[0114] It will therefore be readily appreciated from a review of
FIGS. 15-21 in combination that the present invention is capable of
not only mounting any known video camera to any known tripod
assembly in a manner heretofore unknown in the art, but does so in
a manner that utilizes the known and unaltered structures of both
the video camera 202 and any known tripod. Moreover, removal of the
camera mount 260 and the battery assembly 200 is easily
facilitated, and may be readily accomplished if a user desired to
mount the video camera 202 directly to a tripod.
[0115] The present invention therefore proposes a power supply for
video cameras that not only stabilizes (rather than destabilizing)
the video camera to which it is attached, but also completely
reforms the video camera industry. That is, the concept of placing
battery assemblies beneath the bottom, planar surface of a video
camera completely frees the rear and side of the video camera for
greater functionability than ever before. Still further, by
equipping the battery assembly with, preferably, spring biased
battery terminals, and by forming matching battery terminals on the
bottom, planar surface of the video camera itself, the present
invention completely eliminates the necessity of having extraneous
power cords.
[0116] Moreover, by adding one or more battery assemblies 10 to a
camera, and in particular by adding these additional battery
assemblies 10 to the bottom, planar surface of a video camera, the
present invention advantageously affects the ergonomics of the
camera itself. The weight of the connected battery assemblies 10 is
low and substantially located at the center of mass of the camera,
as opposed to extending outwardly from the camera body as in known
devices. Moreover, by adding cascaded battery assemblies 10 to the
bottom of a video camera, the present invention increases the
overall weight of the camera to a varying amount, thereby assisting
in the reduction of hand tremble, while increasing the ability of
an operator to accomplish smooth transition, tilt and pan
operations.
[0117] It is yet another important aspect of the present invention
that electrical contacts be formed on the bottom, planar surface of
a video camera. More particularly, the present invention
contemplates utilizing that portion of a video camera historically
reserved solely for mounting upon a tripod or other support
platform. By placing the location of the battery contacts upon this
bottom, planar surface of a camera, the present invention not only
facilitates the productive use of the additional weight afforded by
the battery assemblies 10 (as discussed above), but also permits
the redesign of new cameras. That is, by removing battery contacts
from the rear or side of camera housings, where they typically
exist, this space may be utilized to provide other functions to the
camera operator.
[0118] It will be readily appreciated that the battery assembly
also preferably houses rechargeable lithium ion batteries, or the
like, as well as providing an electrical plug connector for
providing corded power supply to an accessory device of the camera
itself.
[0119] Regardless of the chosen embodiment, the present invention
provides a mechanical mounting means for the cascading and
connection of multiple battery assemblies to a camera or tripod
system, without sacrificing ease of operation or causing unwieldy
weight distribution.
[0120] The present invention also vastly increases the possible
portable power capacity of known camera systems, but does so in a
manner that increases the operability of the system as a whole.
[0121] Still further, by arranging the electrical battery power for
a video camera on the bottom planar surface of the video camera,
the present invention not only provides for a non-corded manner of
electrically connecting multiple, cascaded battery assemblies
directly to the camera and/or tripod, but also permits for the
complete redesigning of known camera controls, grips and displays.
Together, the redesigned bottom of a video camera, and the
discussed mechanical mounting means formed in the housing of a
battery assembly, provide for a substantial increase in the
functionality and operability of known video camera systems.
[0122] As discussed herein, the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-21
are adapted to suspend a battery assembly beneath an electrical
device, such as an image recording device. Moreover, the present
invention enables the placement of power cells beneath a video
camera without destroying the ability of the video camera to easily
mount to a known support apparatus, tripod or the like. The present
invention, however, is not so limited in this regard. Indeed, the
present invention equally contemplates that in lieu of power cells,
a DVD/CD disk drive, data device or the like may instead be
releasably suspended beneath a video camera via the mounting plate
and housing discussed previously.
[0123] It can therefore be envisioned that a video camera system
utilizing the present invention could conceivably have a first
battery assembly attached to the underside of the video camera, and
then cascaded thereunder could be suspended a DVD disk drive, and
then a second battery assembly, all of which are captured between
the video camera and a tripod device. The first battery assembly,
the DVD disk drive and the second battery assembly would all be in
electrical communication with one another, if desired, and provided
the various mounting plates associated with each housing included
integral electrical contacts (similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7
and 8). Even if the various housings did not have integral
electrical contacts in their respective mounting plates, the DVD
disk drive could conceivably be powered by the second battery
assembly, while the video camera or lights could be powered by the
first battery assembly.
[0124] While the invention has been described with reference to the
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various obvious changes may be made, and equivalents
may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the
essential scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended
that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments
disclosed, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *